The NRL finals are underway and after one of the greatest playoff weekends of all time, week two is upon us.
Eels vs Raiders
The Parramatta Eels will look to prove to the world that they are contenders, rather than pretenders, when they take on the Raiders. This is a danger game for the Eels, as Canberra seems to be the wildcard team of this finals.
Paramatta have much more pressure on them, compared to their opponents as in the past decade they’ve built a reputation of choking in the finals. This Eels season is Premiership or bust, which is another reason why this upcoming match is unbelievably important.
If they end up being knocked out of the finals on Friday night, then you can mark their 2022 season as an epic failure, as well as adding another year to Parra’s never-ending premiership drought.
Everyone’s eyes will be on the blue and gold army, and they must succeed against Canberra because I can’t see them improving next season, as they’ve obviously got some key players out the door after this 2022 campaign.
On the other hand, the Canberra Raiders have been playing with a finals mentality over the past two months, due to having to win just about every game and you’d be dumb to write them off this weekend.
Lately, Jamal Fogarty has been proving why is he one of the best buys of the year, as he has brought some needed balance to the side, after being absent from the field during their below average first half of the season.
The Raiders hold all the momentum coming into this match, whilst the Eels will have to attempt to try and seek some of their own on Friday night.
I’m not a massive fan of bold predictions, however I have tipped the Raiders to win, due to being red hot form and Paramatta’s poor recent finals history gives me another couple of reasons why Canberra will win.
Raiders by 4
Canberra Raiders (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Sharks vs Rabbitohs
The Cronulla Sharks and South Sydney Rabbitohs will face off in a finals classic.
Both sides will enter this semi-finals match battered and bruised, as Souths survived an extremely physical match against the Roosters, whilst the Sharks missed out on their chance of gaining a week off after suffering defeat in a ninety-three-minute, golden point epic.
Cronulla flew under the radar all season and they are beginning to have the bright lights shine on them, as they enter a do-or-die bout.
Many Sharks fans believe they should be in the prelims already, however the Sharkies will have to try and take the long journey to a Grand Final.
Cronulla have been described as a team who will not do much damage in the playoffs and another argument is that their rather easy draw was what got them to second position.
I think the Sharks schedule provided a small assist to their success, however they’re a deadly team and will look to prove they’re a real threat to the premiership.
South Sydney came away with the win after a dramatic grudge match against their cross-town rivals. The Bunnies have been a hard team to tip all year, and nothing changes for this upcoming fixture.
Cody Walker must stand up if the Rabbitohs are any chance in bringing home the chocolates on Saturday night, as he’s proved all year that if he plays well, then Souths win; simple as that.
I believe the trend of close finals matches will continue and this game is so hard to tip. I feel like the Sharks are more prepared and the extra-day turn around will be a massive boost for them and I believe they’re the better side between these two.
Sharks by 1
Mike
Guest
Getting excuses ready.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Well you got Canberras 4 points right at least, shame about Parras 40. South's have gone full blown feral head hunters, so anything can happen tonight. Surely they won't get away with their last start thuggery again.
Albo
Roar Rookie
That's my amateur read on things too , Wayne ! And I am on a bit of a roll, with perfect tipping rounds 24 & 25 and 3 from 4 in last weeks finals ( just missing the Cows over Sharks in golden point). So, I guess I am due for a fall ? :silly:
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Wayne. That’s about my thinking but I know zero. Massive effort is the cows get there. Massive if panthers make it a double. Every option a bit more massive then normal maybe, not taking away from Easts and storms regular consistent high form. Where is Eastlake atm. Lol
Wayne Turner
Guest
My tips are the opposite lol Many are writing off Parra,and talking up Raiders. Raiders over achieved,and their season ends here.Parra to win by 14,and give their fans false hope. South's at their defacto home ground for 3rd week in a row. Souths by 6,to knock Sharks out in straight sets. Then the next week: Parra at North Queensland - Parra talked up,and to let their fans down again. Cowboys by plenty. Souths at Penrith - Souths try to bash Penrith out of the game.Doesn't work.Penrith by 8. 2022 GF: Penrith vs Cowboys - Penrith by 13. Penrith back to back Premiers.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
What do I know... Like the Broncos I was in the top tipping numbers at some stage then crashed... :laughing: My main impression so far is that Eels blew their chance, the finger pointing and wailing afterwards are not a good sign IMO and it will take a huge effort to get them back on track. If they were in a seriously good head space they had their chance to deliver last week. Forwards and tactics lost the battle even before Moses went down. Expecting a Raider win. Sharks v Souths, tough to call and should be tight. My proviso here is that whoever wins must beat Penrith so we don't see them in another GF, that is more likely Souths so I cheer for them.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Nathan Brown being on the outer is a strange one, particularly when Makatoa is getting little game time ? But the Eels starting pack are still strong and Niukore and Kaufusi are strong bench rotators for the props. If they can break even with the Raiders in the middle of the rucks, the Eels have more attacking options via their halves & Gutho. But who knows ? They can mix their form !
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Parra player coach disgruntlement rumours are interesting. Particularly when the coach's bench looks weaker than it could be and strangely managed. Can't see any advantage in choosing Makatoa who is behind N Brown in every facet of play, then give him the bare 10 mins of game time. Raiders bench looks much better, forwards cancel each other out, but ,Parra have far more football intelligence in key execution areas which should get them home.
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
I want Parra to win, but I'm feeling the Green Machine will get the win. Sharks v Souths? My heart says Cronulla, but my brain says Souths.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Sharkies.
John
Guest
The team that dominates the middle and finishes their sets best are going to win. Sharks by 4 points
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well , South's v Sharks should be a cracker. Both these teams know how to score a try. I favour South's slightly but the team that recovers best from last week wins. Both sides had brutal games last week ( different dirt of brutality though). South's stars might just get it for them but Cronulla are well ciached and dangerous